chemo/radiotherapy

After chemotherapy for 18 weeks i have to have radiotherapy x 6 weeks with herceptrin and one other drug. What side effects could or would I have especially with the drugs? I have had a lymph node biopsy, result hormonal cancer to right breast.

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  What kind of chemotherapy did you receive, and what additional drug is being given to you aside from the herceptin?  It would help a lot if you can provide more information so I can answer your question better. Hope to hear from you soon.

Herceptin can cause some kind of allergic reaction like fever, chills, itching, headache and difficulty of breathing in 40% of patients during the initial infusion.  Usually, the reaction is mild and can be easily treated by giving antihistamines (benadryl) and acetaminophen.  It can also have an adverse effect on the functioning of the heart, specially in those who have already been treated by anthracycline (doxorubicin, epirubicin) or taxane (paclitaxel, docetaxel) chemotherapy.  This happens in around 12% of those with prior taxane treatment and in 25% of those with prior anthracycline treatment.